Work out the volume of your move
The volume of your move, in cubic metres (m³), is the first thing a mover needs to know: it decides the size of the van, how many movers are needed and how long the job takes. Here is how to work it out properly, with a room-by-room calculator.
Why volume matters
Two homes of the same size can have very different volumes: it all depends on what you take with you. Underestimate it and you risk a van that is too small or a second trip on the day. Overestimate it and you pay more than you need to. An accurate list gives the mover what they need to quote a fair price.
Typical volumes by type of home
No time to list your furniture? These figures give you a rough idea. They are the volumes our form uses when you simply choose the size of your home.
| Home | Typical volume |
|---|---|
| Studio | ≈ 15 m³ |
| 1-bedroom flat | ≈ 28 m³ |
| 2-bedroom flat | ≈ 40 m³ |
| 3-bedroom flat | ≈ 55 m³ |
| Small house | ≈ 65 m³ |
| Large house | ≈ 90 m³ |
A well-furnished home or a full cellar or attic can push the total up considerably: in that case, it is better to list your furniture.
The volume of common items
Each item in our list has an average volume as loaded in the van: packing and the space lost between items are included. A few examples:
| Item | Loaded volume |
|---|---|
| 3-seat sofa | 3 m³ |
| Armchair | 1.2 m³ |
| Dining table | 1.5 m³ |
| Chair | 0.4 m³ |
| Double bed + mattress | 3 m³ |
| Single bed + mattress | 1.6 m³ |
| 3-door wardrobe | 3 m³ |
| Chest of drawers | 1 m³ |
| Fridge | 1 m³ |
| Washing machine | 0.7 m³ |
| Bicycle | 0.8 m³ |
| Standard box | 0.1 m³ |
Working out your volume, step by step
- Go through your home room by room, including the cellar, attic, garage, balcony and garden.
- Only count what is coming with you. Anything you sell, give away or throw out does not count: sorting before the move means less volume.
- Count your boxes: about one box per m² of living space is a good starting point. A standard box counts as 0.1 m³ in our list. The mover can also supply boxes and pack for you.
- Mention heavy or fragile items separately (piano, safe, large mirror, aquarium): they need special equipment or extra care, whatever their volume.
- Add photos to your request: your rooms, but also the access (stairs, corridors, lift, street, entrance). The mover sees what to expect and is less likely to need to adjust the price.
Volume calculator
Add your furniture room by room with the + and − buttons. The total updates live and your list is saved on this device.
The button sends your list to the quote form: it opens already filled in, so you only need to add the addresses, the date and your contact details.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out the volume of my move?
List your furniture room by room and add up the average volume of each item: our calculator does it for you. As a quick guide, allow about 15 m³ for a studio, 40 m³ for a two-bedroom flat and 65 to 90 m³ for a house.
What if my volume is not accurate?
That is fine: the volume helps the mover prepare their quote. They check the details of your request and sets their price in their quote; you can ask them questions in the chat before accepting. The more accurate your list and photos, the fewer surprises.
How many boxes will I need?
Allow roughly one box per m² of living space, a few more if you have lots of books or crockery. In our list, a standard box counts as 0.1 m³ and a book box as 0.06 m³.
Should I count the cellar and the garden?
Yes. Everything that goes in the van counts: cellar, attic, garage, bikes, garden furniture, large plants. These are often what pushes the volume higher than expected.
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